Bill Sanders of Loucks recognized for his important work on key public realm projects and civic service to the Capital Area Architectural and Planning Board.

May 10, 2016
(MINNEAPOLIS, MN) The Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects has awarded Bill Sanders the 2016 Theodore Wirth Award for Excellence in Parks.  Sanders is a senior landscape architect with Loucks, a multidisciplinary consulting firm that provides planning, civil engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, and environmental services to clients.

“This is a tremendous honor from such an important and respected organization,” said Bill Sanders.  “I share the society’s continued commitment to promote and raise awareness of quality design, planning, and preservation work that makes an impact on our community.  This is also an important award for Loucks and our amazing team of experts who bring passion and expertise to each project.”

The Theodore Wirth Award for Excellence in Parks is presented to an individual, group, organization, business, governmental or non-governmental agency who has been influential in the planning, design, development, administration, maintenance or preservation of a historic site, landmark or cultural landscape in a park, park system or wildlife preserve.

Sanders received the 2016 Wirth Award for his more than three decades of public service to the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board maintaining the high standard of design for public and private projects in the Capitol Area, and for his overall distinguished body of work in park design including the design and planning work of the Irvine Park Historic District in Saint Paul and the Minnehaha Park renovation plan in Minneapolis.

“Bill’s work and his dedication to the Capital Area Architectural and Planning Board are remarkable,” said Gina Bonsignore, ASLA and President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.  “This award is a way to recognize the amazing professionals in our field who not only do great work to serve their clients, they also give back to this community through the time and expertise they share.”

About Bill Sanders
Sanders is an award-winning landscape architect with more than 50 years of experience in urban, streetscape, park and recreation, commercial, and residential planning and design. For 30 years, he served as president of Sanders Wacker Bergly, Inc., which was acquired by Loucks in 2013.  For 30 years, Bill was the planning and design advisor to the Capital Area Architectural and Planning Board. In this role, he helped create and facilitate solutions to complex urban design challenges within the planning districts surrounding the State Capital building.  He also served for 14 years as the supervisor of urban design with the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the City of Saint Paul. He has established a high standard of excellence as the designer and project manager for high-impact, high-visibility projects, many of which link historic and contemporary landscapes. 

Bill has provided outstanding professional leadership through his activities on prominent public projects throughout the State that includes the Governor’s Residence Council and the Greening of the Great River Park project.  Throughout his career, Bill have been actively involved in ASLA-MN, serving as President, Trustee, Board Member, and chair of numerous committees. Bill graduated from Iowa State University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in landscape architecture.

About The Theodore Wirth Award for Excellence in Parks
First awarded in 2011, this service award honors the legacy of Theodore Wirth by recognizing individuals who influenced quality design, planning and/or creation of parks and related public spaces in Minnesota.  Theodore Wirth was Superintendent of Parks for the Minneapolis Park System from 1906-1935, leaving a lasting and treasured legacy for those who enjoy parks. This award is sponsored by the Minneapolis Parks and Legacy Society.  Learn more at www.asla-mn.org/awards.

About Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects
(ASLA-MN)
ASLA-MN is the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) which represents nearly 300 professionals in the landscape architecture profession through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship. ASLA, the national organization, has more than 18,000 members and 48 chapters, representing all 50 states, U.S. territories, and 42 countries around the world. 

Loucks is proud to be working on T3 and Custom House, both of which are featured in today’s issue of The Line. Click the link below to enjoy the entire article,
“10 Redevelopment Projects Transforming MSP in 2016.”
http://www.thelinemedia.com/features/10developments01122016.aspx

This week’s relighting of the restored “Pillsbury’s Best Flour” sign holds special significance for Loucks. Along with project partners Dominium, BKV Group, Weis Builders, and the City of Minneapolis, Loucks helped to preserve the site and transform the historic mill into affordable living and working space for artists.

Many of the building’s original features and spaces remain intact, including the original heavy timber frame, Platteville limestone foundation, massive white grain silos, Cleaning House, Warehouse No. 2, and the Red Clay Tile elevator with its landmark “Pillsbury’s Best Flour” neon sign. Loucks provided civil engineering, land surveying and laser scanning services on the project. For more details about the sign reinstallation, visit Star Tribune and WCCO.

It is with enthusiasm and excitement that we announce the Loucks rebrand!

Our new look and message more clearly articulates Loucks’ identity, culture, values, and expertise in a fresh and modern way. Our enhanced image complements our mission:

We inspire our clients to make the best use of their land.

The Loucks rebrand presents a vision that inspires clients and our industry to see our company in a new light and connect our image to the way we do business.

We do the ground work that makes your project more remarkable.

On March 16, 2015, Finance and Commerce revealed new images of the Hennepin County Medical Center’s $191M expansion in downtown Minneapolis. The project will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design requirements with sustainable features related to energy use, stormwater management, and pedestrian and mass transit accessibility. Loucks multidisciplinary work on the project includes landscape architecture/master planning, civil engineering, and surveying. The project team includes BWBR, Mortenson, Ericksen Roed & Associates, Dunham, and Korbel Associates.
https://finance-commerce.com/2015/03/hcmc-plans-transparent-design-for-191m-expansion/#ixzz3Umn1x3VD

Senior Survey Technician Sharon Morin earned first place honors at the 2015 MSPS Convention in the Boundary & Topographic Survey Mapping category.

SCHMIDT ARTIST LOFTS from Anna G on Vimeo.

Loucks is excited to announce that Nate Ekhoff has joined our team as a landscape architect and urban planner. A skilled designer, Nate has earned a strong reputation for creating memorable and dynamic public spaces.

Nate has nearly ten years of experience in the design of streetscapes, public plazas, urban developments, and parks and recreation facilities. His site planning skills and remarkable graphic abilities are an exciting addition to our growing landscape architecture discipline. Nate will be expanding our role in municipal design projects and strengthen our role as a premier multidisciplinary partner.

Loucks celebrated the grand opening of Skye at Arbor Lakes, a 230-unit multifamily project located in Maple Grove. Project partners included LeCesse, Humphreys & Partners, Stonebridge Construction, Morgan Management, and U.S. Bank.